OXFORD United cannot believe their luck at signing hot prospect Tyler Roberts on loan after initially thinking the teenager would be beyond their reach this summer.

The 17-year-old is viewed as a rising star at West Bromwich Albion, who handed him a Premier League debut against Liverpool on the final day of last season.

His reputation goes far beyond the Hawthorns, with Chris Coleman inviting the forward to train with the Wales senior squad last month before Euro 2016.

With Roberts featuring in the Baggies’ pre-season games against Paris Saint-Germain and Vitesse Arnhem, United effectively crossed him off their list.

But the situation changed this week and a loan until January was sealed yesterday.

Assistant head coach Derek Fazackerley said: “Tyler was somebody we discussed and in truth we didn’t really think he would be available at this moment.

“The indications were they would have liked to keep him around the first team squad, which they have done for the pre-season.

“I think possibly their intentions are to strengthen their attacking force, so it’s given us the opportunity to take him now.

“It was too good a chance to turn down.”

If Roberts can make anywhere near the impact made by the last player United took on loan from West Brom, it will be a great signing.

Kemar Roofe’s 32 goals in 60 starts saw him depart to Leeds United earlier this month.

Although six years younger than the £3m star, Roberts played with Roofe in reserve games and only agreed to join the U’s after a strong reference from the former U’s No 4.

Roberts said: “I played with him in his last season at West Brom, so I used to speak to him a bit then.

“I always rated him as a player.

“I spoke to him and he said the club was good and the right place for me.

“Kemar scored lots of goals here, so hopefully I can follow in those footsteps.”

Links between the two clubs strengthened due to the way Roofe developed under U’s boss Michael Appleton, who is a former player and coach at West Brom.

It helped ensure United were at the front of the queue for Roberts.

Fazackerley said: “Our relationship with West Brom has been very good, initially with Kemar and of course with Michael having worked there.

“They had no problems whatsoever seeing us take one of their young players and help develop them.

“We are seen as a good option by clubs, we like to think we do things the right way and hopefully in doing that we will get the opportunity to have a pick of one or two of the younger players that are around.”